Warriors vs Nuggets || First Take ||

Haha I heard Drays F bomb but couldn’t put context to it.

Athletic Alchemy

Well it will all depend whether we get 1st or not and if that will matter at the end of the season. Worst case scenario is if we get 2nd seed and we have to go through Denver in the first round and OKC in the second round.

I have concern about the boxing out and rebounding, choice of passes and bench scoring ... but it's not time to hit the panic button. There are a lot of changes that's going to happen whether it's trade or adjustments on the court. As dominant as the Rockets appear, I'm still not convinced. They have a great squad and are a legit threat but so far Rockets flame out, they don't like pressure on defense, and I'm concerned about CP3's composure in big moments. He has yet to come up big when it matters except in one series against the Spurs. This could be the Cavs effect we are watching ... winning games but against tough opponents in the playoff grind, how will they fair? They still have to compete and get to the WCF against the Warriors. I have a feeling they'll be tough and it would go 6 games against a locked in Warriors team.

It’s games like these where we see how valuable David West is in getting our bench into games. Shoutout to Kevon for losing that tooth and Draymond telling the ref “He’s looking for his damn teeth, fuck this game” during the free throw. i think they were freaking out on how long it was taking. i’m not sure if you heard it.

I've been watching some 2015-2016 games and I can't help but think that team might have been better that season. Much more off-ball movement not just from Steph but from everyone and their offense was so much more unpredictable. Turnovers are inevitable on this sort of system but I feel the passing is more predictable because there are less off-ball movements in generall. I'm not sure what the statistics are on this but I "feel" like we blew out teams way more. This season, the first two quarters are always close and the team pulls through with some edge in the 3rd quarter. And don't think it's because of the bench either...

Paradox

Kerr said that he doesn't really pay care to numbers/stats but do take trends into account. Well, there's been a trend of turnovers and lack of defense. They HAVE to pick things up before the break, not after, to me. So they can carry that momentum out and into the playoffs. Also, I feel that they need something but can't place my finger on it. Either more bench scoring to player consistency, I just feel they need something more just to spark this team. I thought losses to major threats would do it but, so far, it doesn't look like it to me. Just carrying on for the sake of carrying on. I know, long season and all, but all this turning the switch on and off talk is starting to sound like the Cavs a few years ago and I don't like that one bit.

BustDatPosey

Can’t wait for the OKC game but in other topic, I feel so bad for the Cavs. IT for some reason just makes the look so mediocre. Their FA pool is starting to diminish. Danny Ainge is a damn genius letting IT and Crowder go because he knew Brad Stevens system covered their glaring flaws. If BOS gets Lou Williams or Tyreke Evans, the East may just be a wrap. **Also, if you ever cover other teams in your podcast. Talk about surging Wizards without Wall (teammates taking shots at him) and or Jazz finding their groove and potentially kicking NOR our of playoffs.

I can tell you love the game, but you still a youngster to the game. Things change fast and vet teams chill sometimes all the way through the regular season. No doubt Houston is a legit threat...but better! Hell nah!

Athletic Alchemy

Ok so you have seen plenty of seasons and playoff runs unfold...I get it, it’s different being the hunted, even as a fan. Our view on things get skewed. Let’s see the final 20 games.

Athletic Alchemy

My bad bro, I’ve been following the league really since ‘08 when I got into NBA 2K but I can say I’ve been spoiled with our recent success.

Watching since iverson and the Kobe rival, yeah I do have a tendency to worry because they aren’t dominant in like they use to but your are right this is the 4th year they have to be mentally fatigued. Thanks for your take keeping us sane

I’m okay with having a defensive slump now than later but you are right about building bad habits. Hope they can fix it before playoffs and I bet they will. Regarding these turnovers, these habits really plagued us through the last 3 years so not much has changed. We just tend to be more dialed in the playoffs.

And Mike’s teams never look the same come rd 2......

Athletic Alchemy

Serious question Moya and Aerone...how long have yall been following the league? Both of you are always on point with your takes. But I’m telling you this concern is waaay too early.

Athletic Alchemy

Well I guess till April the question will always be “will the 1st seed matter?”. Effort L’s always make me feel sour for some reason, while I just watch the Rockets decimate their seemingly easy matchups

I have no faith in our bench right and Kerr rotation was mind boggling, I’m not tripping off that first seed but they have been building terrible habits with the turnovers, not boxing out and letting teams back into games. We shall see if they carry these habits over to the playoffs

The sky is falling people are the equivalent to people freaking out about baseball records in July. Things are going to look soooo different in April. Let's see what's up then.

Matt M.

If we are healthy and playing well heading into the playoffs it won’t matter if we are the 8th seed. You said it yourself, the standings are precarious 4 through 9 so you can’t look that far ahead. Let’s see what the trade deadline does... and have some faith! These boys are pacing themselves!

Athletic Alchemy

I know it’s only February bro but I’m really watching the standings and originally I was fine with us ending with 2nd seed if need be because we wouldn’t have to face OKC in the second round however it’s all so close right now and OKC can get bumped down of that 5th seed while Denver can bumped up to 7th seed. Again I may be over reacting but it still stand by that the Rockets are better than us overall and are built to beat us this year. And Denver really has become the “Memphis” in past years where they just find a way to contend with us.

Lol yall are being dramatic! Again, the landscape and structure of the contenders will look different in March and going into April.

Athletic Alchemy

The Rockets are better than us and can potentially beat us in the WCF with home court advantage or not. The Rockets are built to beat us this year and I don’t care about Harden and CP3’s past playoff downfalls because that don’t matter when you have G. Green/Luc Ma abuhte/Tucker/Gordon consistently producing in that 2nd unit. Is it fair to say we are “top heavy”? Because our bench has for some reason disappeared or relies too much on Klay. I know it’s only February but it’s not fair to call us the best team only by record when Harden and the Rockets best us twice and still haven’t won against OKC, is 1-1 against BOS, is 2-2 against DEN. We need All star break but either the bench needs to step up or need to make changes. The Rockets are watching closely.

As much as it pains me to say the rockets will beat us if we keep playing like this

Chris Harris